Paul Pogba is back.
On June 28, 2025, the 2018 World Cup winner and former Manchester United star was officially unveiled as AS Monaco’s new signing, closing a turbulent chapter in his football career. For Pogba, this isn’t just a transfer — it’s a personal resurrection.
Once one of the most celebrated midfielders in world football, Pogba had faded from the spotlight after testing positive for a banned substance in 2023. His return now, after 18 months away from the game, has reignited global attention — not just for what lies ahead, but for the storm he has survived.
The Fall: Doping Shock and a Career in Crisis
On August 20, 2023, following Juventus’ Serie A opener against Udinese, Pogba tested positive for DHEA — a banned substance that increases testosterone levels. By September, Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal had issued a provisional suspension. Pogba was stunned.
“I have never knowingly taken any banned substance,” he said through his legal team. But strict liability rules applied — and in February 2024, he was handed a four-year ban, effectively ending his top-level career at age 30.
The football world was shocked. A player who once cost Manchester United €105 million had now become a cautionary tale. Juventus quickly distanced themselves, eventually terminating his contract by mutual consent in November 2024.
The Appeal: Fighting to Salvage His Name
Behind the scenes, Pogba launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). His lawyers argued that he had ingested the substance unknowingly, via a supplement prescribed in the U.S.
In March 2025, CAS delivered a breakthrough: the ban was reduced to 18 months, acknowledging “no significant fault.” Pogba was cleared to resume playing — and immediately declared: “I’m coming back. Football is my life.”
Suspended in Silence: Training Alone, Hoping for a Call
During his exile, Pogba lived between France and the U.S., training in isolation and staying off media. Few photos surfaced. No dramatic interviews. He refused to play the victim, instead focusing on fitness and redemption.
“I lost football, I lost joy, I lost a part of myself,” he told close friends, according to L’Équipe. “But I didn’t lose hope.”
With Juventus gone and few clubs willing to take a risk, Pogba quietly prepared for a second act. Rumors swirled — a move to MLS? A Saudi payday? Even retirement?
But Pogba had other plans.
Choosing Monaco: Homecoming with Purpose
In early June 2025, reports broke that Pogba was in advanced talks with AS Monaco. A Champions League-bound side with ambition and structure, Monaco offered something Pogba had never experienced — a first-ever senior role in France’s Ligue 1.
For the player who grew up in Lagny-sur-Marne and rose through Le Havre’s academy before heading abroad, this felt like a symbolic return. Pogba agreed to a two-year deal running until June 2027, reportedly on significantly reduced wages. His goal? Silence the doubters — not with tweets, but with football.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal, and Pogba teased fans with a cryptic post: “I think it’s time.”
The Official Comeback
Monaco made it official on June 28, announcing Pogba as their newest signing and handing him the iconic number 8 jersey. Social media exploded. While some celebrated a redemption arc, others questioned whether the gamble was worth it.
Sporting director Thiago Scuro, however, was clear: “Paul brings experience, leadership, and a desire to prove himself. We believe in his story — and his future.”
Pogba will join pre-season training in July and is expected to feature in Monaco’s Champions League qualifiers. For him, the chance to play under the lights again is everything.
High Stakes and a Second Chance
At 32, Pogba is no longer the midfield dynamo he once was — but he doesn’t need to be. What Monaco have signed is not just a player, but a symbol of comeback, humility, and unfinished business.
Analysts see the move as a win-win: low financial risk for Monaco, and a high-reward stage for Pogba to regain form — perhaps even return to France’s national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
“People will talk. They always have,” Pogba told Téléfoot. “But I’m not here to talk anymore. I’m here to play.”
Conclusion: Not Just a Comeback — A Statement
From doping disgrace to a chance at redemption, Paul Pogba’s journey is unlike any in recent football memory. This isn’t the story of a fallen star clinging to relevance — it’s about resilience, reflection, and the hunger to write a better ending.
The world will be watching.
Leave a Reply